There are many reasons for a dog to bark. Your dog may bark as a warning that a burglar has broken into his home or to let you know that a stranger is approaching. Dog barking is also used to attract attention or to intimidate the dog’s owner or other people. Whatever the reason for the barking, I’m sure we all agree that it’s annoying and you need to find ways to stop it quickly. Dog owners who bark constantly are sometimes accused of disturbing the peace. Fortunately, there are several ways to deter dogs from barking for no good reason.
Training your dog when it is appropriate for him to bark is probably the best way to stop unwanted barking. Although there are several options, the best way is the reward/reprimand method. This is an effective and humane method.
To prevent the use of this training method, some dog owners use an electronic anti-bark collar that emits a small electrical shock when the dog barks. Eventually, the dog’s barking stops when the dog connects its barking with an unpleasant experience. I am of the opinion that using this method to stop dog barking is inhumane and cruel.
Electronic collars should not be used for a variety of reasons, one of which is that not all dogs associate their barking with the uncomfortable shock. They learn to tolerate the shock and keep barking. Also, if the collar’s spikes don’t touch the dog’s skin, a thick-coated dog won’t feel the impact. It should be noted that the use of an electronic collar for training alone rarely stops the dog from barking. For best results, canine obedience training is also necessary.
Some people are of the opinion that electronic collars could discourage dogs, even though the collar is not really for them. People who hold this view often wear citronella collars that work on a similar principle to electronic collars. The citronella collar emits a mist when the dog barks. Since dogs usually dislike the smell, they will begin to associate their barking with the bad smell and stop barking. The success rate is almost the same as that of electronic collars.
Although electronic collars can be useful training tools, most veterinarians and dog trainers feel that they cannot be used as a replacement for good obedience training. Dog obedience training helps solve more canine behavior problems than just barking.
Surgery is sometimes used to stop dog barking. This is the most barbaric and drastic option. The dog is prevented from barking by removing a piece of tissue from the larynx. There have been cases where the dog’s ability to bark has returned, defeating the purpose of the surgery. Fortunately, most veterinarians are opposed to surgery to stop dog barking.
I hope we have managed to convince you that good dog obedience training is essential for dog barking and most other dog behavior problems. It is worth noting that if a dog stops barking with an electronic collar, he will not bark when a thief breaks into his house. However, a dog that receives obedience training will know the appropriate times to bark and will protect you and your family.
